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Senescence

Definition

Senescence is the process by which cells irreversibly stop dividing and enter a state of permanent growth arrest without undergoing cell death. Senescence can be induced by unrepaired DNA damage or other cellular stresses.

The accumulation of senescent cells is thought to contribute to the age-associated decline in tissue function. Here, the authors identify HSP90 inhibitors as a new class of senolytic compounds in an in vitro screening and show that administration of a HSP90 inhibitor reduces age-related symptoms in progeroid mice.

Therapy induced senescence (TIS) is a growth suppressive program activated by cytostatic agents in some cancer cells. Here the authors show that the chromatin remodeling enzyme ATRX is a regulator of TIS and drives cells into this state via multiple mechanisms.